Methods for detecting device context in order to alter touch capacitance

ABSTRACT

Methods, devices, non-transitory processor-readable media of various embodiments may enable contextual operation of a mobile computing device including a capacitive input sensor, which may be a rear area capacitive input sensor. In various embodiments, a processor of a mobile computing device including a rear area capacitive input sensor may monitor sensor measurements and generate an interaction profile based on the sensor measurements. The processor of the mobile computing device may determine whether the interaction profile is inconsistent with in-hand operation and may increase sensitivity of the capacitive input sensor in response to determining that the interaction profile is inconsistent with in-hand operation.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. 62/572,460 entitled “Methods For DetectingDevice Context In Order To Alter Touch Capacitance” filed on Oct. 14,2017, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/572,453entitled “Managing And Mapping Multi-Sided Touch” filed on Oct. 14,2017, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/572,465entitled “Methods For Integrating Multi-Touch Across Rear/Side SurfacesAnd A Front Display” filed on Oct. 14, 2017, to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. 62/572,455 entitled “Methods of Direct Manipulation ofMulti-Layered User Interfaces” filed on Oct. 14, 2017, and to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/572,471 entitled “Method AndApparatus To Accommodate Both Wireless Charging And Back Touch Sensing”filed on Oct. 14, 2017. The contents of these documents are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Mobile computing devices may use a wide variety of input methods. Inaddition to buttons and other physical input devices, mobile computingdevices typically include an electronic display capable of detecting thepresence and location of the touch within the display area (i.e., a“touchscreen”). Numerous software applications for mobile computingdevices make use of touchscreen inputs, and thus touchscreens havedramatically expanded the type and range of possible user interactionswith mobile computing devices.

However, touchscreen interactions require the user's focused attentionto see a target to touch (e.g., an icon, text, etc.) or a response tothe input. Further, more complex software applications may be difficultor cumbersome to control through interactions with a touchscreen.Moreover, many interactions with mobile computing devices require onehand to hold the mobile computing device so that fingers of the otherhand may interact with the touchscreen. Such interactions may bedifficult or impossible in certain situations, such as when the mobilecomputing device is in a bag, pocket or case.

SUMMARY

The methods, devices, non-transitory processor-readable media of variousembodiments may enable contextual operation of a mobile computing deviceincluding a rear area capacitive input sensor. In various embodiments, aprocessor of a mobile computing device including a rear area capacitiveinput sensor may monitor sensor measurements and generate an interactionprofile based on the sensor measurements. The processor of the mobilecomputing device may determine whether the interaction profile isinconsistent with in-hand operation, and may increase sensitivity of therear area capacitive input sensor in response to determining that theinteraction profile is inconsistent with in-hand operation. In someembodiments, the processor of the mobile computing device may determinewhether the mobile computing device is in a put-away state (e.g., in abag, pocket, or case) and may operate the mobile computing device in aput-away mode (i.e., a mode suitable for interacting with the devicewhile it is in a bag pocket or case) in response to determining that themobile computing device is in the put-away state.

Various embodiments may include generating an interaction profile basedon sensor measurements, determining whether the interaction profile isinconsistent with in-hand operation, determining whether the mobilecomputing device is in a put-away state in response to determining thatthe interaction profile is inconsistent with in-hand operation,operating the mobile computing device in a put-away mode and increasinga sensitivity of a capacitive input sensor in response to determiningthat the mobile computing device is in the put-away state in which themobile computing device uses a first gesture profile in the put-awaymode that is different than a second gesture profile used in a normalmode. In some embodiments, the sensor measurements may be received fromone or more of the capacitive input sensor, another capacitive sensor,an accelerometer, a camera, a microphone, a gyroscope, a heat sensor, anambient light sensor, or a bolometer.

In some embodiments, the first gesture profile and the second gestureprofile may be configured such that the mobile computing device performsan operation in response to a selected user interaction with thecapacitive input sensor in the put-away state that is different from anoperation performed by the mobile computing device in response to thesame selected user interaction in the normal state.

In some embodiments, in response to the selected user interactions beingone or more of a touch, a gesture, or a grip, the operation of themobile computing device may be an operation to answer a call, start anapplication, silence an alert, turn on a screen, read out a message,read out a caller name, launch a camera, toggle a silent mode, adjust avolume, or control another device. In some embodiments, in response tothe selected user interactions being one or more of a touch, a gesture,or a grip, the operation of the mobile computing device may control awearable device. In some embodiments, the wearable device may be avirtual reality head-mounted display or augmented reality glasses.

In various embodiments, a processor of a mobile computing deviceincluding a rear area capacitive input sensor may monitor rear areacapacitive input sensor measurements and generate a capacitive profilebased on the rear area capacitive input sensor measurements. Theprocessor of the mobile computing device may determine whether thecapacitive profile is non-finger shaped, and may increase sensitivity ofthe rear area capacitive input sensor in response to determining thatthe capacitive profile is non-finger shaped. In some embodiments, theprocessor of the mobile computing device may monitor one or more othersensor outputs in response to determining that the capacitive profile isnon-finger shaped. The processor of the mobile computing device maydetermine whether the one or more other sensor outputs indicate themobile computing device is in a put-away state (e.g., in a bag, pocket,or case) and may operate the mobile computing device in a put-away mode(i.e., a mode suitable for interacting with the device while it is in abag pocket or case) in response to determining that the one or moreother sensor outputs indicate the mobile computing device is in theput-away state.

In some embodiments, the one or more other sensor outputs may bereceived by the processor from one or more of an accelerometer, acamera, a microphone, a gyroscope, a heat sensor, an ambient lightsensor, or a bolometer.

Some embodiments may further include determining a surface of the mobilecomputing device that is an outward surface in the put-away state basedat least in part on the one or more other sensor outputs, and increasinga sensitivity of a capacitive sensor positioned on the outward surface.In some embodiments, the capacitive input sensor may be a rear areacapacitive input sensor.

In some embodiments, in the first gesture profile an image associatedwith an operation of the mobile computing device may be not displayed ona screen of the mobile computing device and in the second gestureprofile the image associated with the operation may be displayed on thescreen of the mobile computing device, in which the screen is a frontscreen on a side opposite of the rear area capacitive input sensor.

Some embodiments may further include determining whether additional oneor more other sensor outputs indicate the mobile computing device is ina normal state while the mobile computing device is operating in theput-away mode, and operating the mobile computing device in the normalmode in response to determining that the additional one or more othersensor outputs indicate the mobile computing device is in the normalstate.

Various embodiments include a mobile computing device including a reararea capacitive input sensor and a processor configured withprocessor-executable instructions to perform operations of the methodssummarized above. Various embodiments also include a non-transitoryprocessor-readable medium on which is stored processor-executableinstructions configured to cause a processor of a mobile computingdevice to perform operations of the methods summarized above. Variousembodiments also include a mobile computing device including a rear areacapacitive input sensor and means for performing functions of themethods summarized above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitutepart of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of theinvention, and together with the general description given and thedetailed description, serve to explain the features herein.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic block diagrams illustrating an examplemobile computing device that is suitable for implementing variousembodiments.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an example mobile computingdevice that is suitable for implementing various embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a process flow diagram illustrating an embodiment method forcontextual operation of a mobile computing device including a rear areacapacitive input sensor.

FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram illustrating another embodiment methodfor contextual operation of a mobile computing device including a reararea capacitive input sensor.

FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram illustrating another embodiment methodfor contextual operation of a mobile computing device including a reararea capacitive input sensor.

FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram illustrating an embodiment method forselecting a gesture profile.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are component block diagrams illustrating an examplemobile computing device that is suitable for implementing variousembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various embodiments will be described in detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numberswill be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.References made to particular examples and implementations are forillustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention or the claims.

The terms “computing device” and “mobile computing device” are usedinterchangeably herein to refer to any one or all of variety of smallcomputing devices, particularly computing devices including atouchscreen display that reaches to or over an edge of the display, aprogrammable processor and memory and circuitry for receiving userinputs. Examples of computing devices for which the various embodimentsare particularly useful include mobile communication devices or“smartphones,” and table computing devices configured to be held on theedges by a user.

Many user interactions with a mobile computing device require one handto hold the mobile computing device so that fingers of the other handcan interact with the touchscreen. Such interactions may be difficult orimpossible in certain situations, such as when the mobile computingdevice is in a bag, pocket, or case. Many users carry a mobile computingdevice in a pocket or a bag, and many mobile computing devices areenclosed in a protective case. The front screen of a mobile computingdevice may not be accessible to the user while the mobile computingdevice is in put-away state, such as in a pocket, a bag or a protectivecase.

The methods, devices, non-transitory processor-readable media of variousembodiments may enable contextual operation of a mobile computing deviceincluding a capacitive input sensor while the mobile computing device isnot in a user's hand, such as put-away in a pocket or purse. In variousembodiments, a mobile computing device may be configured to distinguisha first operational context from a second operational context. As anexample, the first operational context may be a normal use state and thesecond operational context may be a put-away state. As another example,the first operational context may be a put-away state and the secondoperational context may be a normal use state. As another example, thefirst operational context may be a normal use state and the secondoperational context may be the mobile computing device enclosed within abarrier, such as a case, sleeve, etc., covering at least some of thecapacitive input sensors. Such determinations to distinguish between thefirst operational context and the second operational context may bemade, for example, based at least in part on capacitive input sensormeasurements and/or other sensor inputs, context, or user indications.Based on the determined operational context, the mobile computing devicemay change a sensitivity of the capacitive input sensor and may enabledifferent user interactions with the capacitive input sensor than may beenabled in other operational contexts.

In various embodiments, based on the determined operational context,different gesture profiles may be used on the mobile computing device tocontrol how the mobile computing device responds to different userinteractions based on the operational context. Gesture profiles mayassociate user interface functions of a mobile computing device withoperating modes of the mobile computing device. In different gestureprofiles, operations of a mobile device may be controlled differently inresponse to the same user interaction with the mobile computing device.For example, a put-away mode and a normal mode may have differentgesture profiles. A user interaction, such as a touch, with a capacitiveinput sensor in a put-away mode may silence an alert according to theput-away mode gesture profile, while the same user interaction, such thesame type of touch, with the capacitive input sensor in a normal modemay cause a screen to display information about the alert according tothe normal mode gesture profile. In different gesture profiles,operations of a mobile device may be different, regardless of userinteractions. For example, in a put-away mode the put-away gestureprofile may prevent the display of notifications on a screen of themobile computing device, while in the normal mode the normal gestureprofile may cause notifications to be displayed on the screen.

In various embodiments, a processor of a mobile computing deviceincluding a capacitive input sensor may monitor sensor measurements andgenerate an interaction profile based on the sensor measurements. Aninteraction profile may be a mapping of one or more sensor measurement.Interaction profiles may include capacitive profiles generated based oncapacitive sensor measurements, acceleration profiles generated based onaccelerometer measurements, image profiles based on outputs from acamera, audio profiles based on outputs from a microphone, angularvelocity profiles based on gyroscope measurements, temperature profilesbased on heat sensor measurements, light profiles based on ambient lightsensor measurements, electromagnetic profiles based on bolometermeasurements, combination profiles based on measurements from two ormore different type of sensors, or any other type of profile generatedbased on sensor measurements. As a specific example, a processor of amobile computing device including a capacitive input sensor may monitorcapacitive input sensor measurements and generate a capacitive profilebased on the rear area capacitive input sensor measurements. Theprocessor of the mobile computing device may generate a capacitiveprofile based on the capacitive input sensor measurements by mappingcapacitance levels measured by the rear area capacitive input sensorthat are at or above a threshold. All, or a portion, of the map of thecapacitance levels may be used as the capacitive profile.

In various embodiments, the processor of the mobile computing device maydetermine whether the interaction profile is inconsistent with in-handoperation. One or more interaction profiles may be associated within-hand operation, such as capacitive profiles being associated with oneor more fingers touching a mobile computing device, temperature profilesbeing associated with the temperature of a mobile computing device whenheld in a hand, etc., and/or one or more interaction profiles may beinconsistent with in-hand operation (e.g., not associated with in-handoperation, associated with an operational state other than being held,etc.), such as a capacitive profile being non-finger shaped, a lightprofile being darker or lighter than expected for in-hand operation,etc. The processor of the mobile computing device may determine whetherthe interaction profile is inconsistent with in-hand operation bycomparing the interaction profile to stored interaction profilesassociated with in-hand operation, as well as other predictable modes ofoperation (e.g., on a surface, in a case, in a pants pocket, in a coatpocket, in a purse or bag, etc.).

The processor of the mobile computing device may determine whether theinteraction profile is inconsistent with in-hand operation by comparingthe interaction profile to stored interaction profiles associated within-hand operation. Examples of stored interaction profiles include oneor more of capacitive profiles associated with a mobile computing devicebeing held (e.g., capacitive profiles of fingers and/or other parts of ahand touching a mobile computing device when the mobile computing deviceis held), acceleration profiles associated with a mobile computingdevice being held, image profiles of fingers or other parts of a hand,audio profiles associated with a mobile computing device being held,angular velocity profiles associated with a mobile computing devicebeing held, temperature profiles associated with a mobile computingdevice being held, light profiles associated with a mobile computingdevice being held, electromagnetic profiles associated with a mobilecomputing device being held, etc. As an example, a capacitive profileassociated with a mobile computing device being held may be a capacitiveprofile of a finger that may be a mapping of capacitive sensormeasurements associated with a finger touching a mobile computingdevice. An example of an acceleration profile associated with a mobilecomputing device being held may be a mapping of accelerometermeasurements associated with typical movements of a mobile computingdevice experienced by the mobile computing device while being held by auser. An example of an image profile associated with a mobile computingdevice being held may be a photograph of a finger or other part of ahand taken by a camera while a mobile computing device is being held bya user. An example of an audio profile associated with a mobilecomputing device being held may be a recording of a sound of a finger orother part of a hand touching a mobile computing device while being heldby a user. An example of an angular velocity profile associated with amobile computing device being held may be a gyroscope measurementassociated with typical movements of a mobile computing device whilebeing held by a user. An example of a temperature profile associatedwith a mobile computing device being held may be a heat sensormeasurement of a value, below or above a value, or within a range ofvalues of temperature associated with a mobile computing device beingheld. An example of a light profile associated with a mobile computingdevice being held may be an ambient light sensor measurement associatedwith a finger or other part of a hand touching a mobile computing devicewhile being held by a user. An example of an electromagnetic profileassociated with a mobile computing device being held may be a bolometermeasurement associated device typical electromagnetic field associatedwith a hand of a user holding the mobile computing device.

In various embodiments, the processor of the mobile computing device maycompare an interaction profile generated based on one or more sensormeasurements to one or more interaction profiles stored in a memory todetermine whether the interaction profile is inconsistent with in-handoperation. In response to the interaction profile matching a storedinteraction profile associated with other than in-hand operation (or inresponse to the interaction profile not matching any interactionprofiles associated with in-hand operation), the processor of the mobilecomputing device may determine that the interaction profile isinconsistent with in-hand operation. In response to the interactionprofile matching a stored interaction profile associated with in-handoperation, the processor of the mobile computing device may determinethat the interaction profile is consistent with in-hand operation.

As a specific example, when the interaction profile is a capacitiveprofile, in response to the capacitive profile not matching anycapacitive profiles of fingers (or matching a capacitive profile that isnon-finger shaped), the processor of the mobile computing device maydetermine that the capacitive profile is non-finger shaped andaccordingly inconsistent with in-hand operation. In response to thecapacitive profile matching a stored capacitive profile of a finger, theprocessor of the mobile computing device may determine the capacitiveprofile is finger shaped and accordingly consistent with in-handoperation.

As an example, a key in a pocket or bag touching the rear areacapacitive input sensor may result in a non-finger shaped profile beinggenerated and the non-finger shaped interaction profile may bedetermined to be inconsistent with in-hand operation. As anotherexample, a case on the mobile computing device covering all or a portionof the rear area capacitive input sensor may result in a non-fingershaped profile being generated and the non-finger shaped interactionprofile may be determined to be inconsistent with in-hand operation. Asa further example, the cloth of a pocket or bag touching the rear areacapacitive input sensor may result in a non-finger shaped profile beinggenerated and the non-finger shaped interaction profile may bedetermined to be inconsistent with in-hand operation.

In some embodiments, various examples or a parametric description ofoutputs from sensors, such as a capacitive input sensor, anaccelerometer, a camera, a microphone, a gyroscope, a heat sensor, anambient light sensor, a bolometer, etc., when the mobile computingdevice is operated in a hand of a user (e.g., touched by a finger,touched by a portion of a hand, etc.) may be preloaded in memory duringfabrication or assembly of the mobile computing device, memory chips,the sensors, or other components. In some embodiments, a user may trainthe mobile computing device and/or the capacitive input sensor torecognize that the mobile computing device is operated in a hand of auser (e.g., the user's fingers touching the sensor, the user's handtouching the mobile computing device, etc.), such as through acalibration or registration process (e.g., similar to training a fingerprint reader or other biometric reader). In some embodiments, the mobilecomputing device, memory chips, the sensors (e.g., capacitive inputsensors, accelerometers, cameras, microphones, gyroscopes, heat sensors,ambient light sensors, bolometers, etc.), or other components may bepreloaded with a default set of examples or parametric descriptions ofsensor outputs when the mobile computing device is operated in a hand ofa user (e.g., one or more fingers are touching the sensor, one or moreportions of the user's hand are touching the mobile computing device,etc.). Such reloaded examples or parametric descriptions of sensoroutputs may be supplemented or overwritten during a user calibration orregistration process. Similarly, the mobile computing device, memorychips, the sensors (e.g., capacitive input sensors, accelerometers,cameras, microphones, gyroscopes, heat sensors, ambient light sensors,bolometers, etc.), or other components may be configured to determinewhen the mobile computing device has been enclosed or partially enclosedby a barrier, such as a case, sleeve, etc.

In various embodiments, a processor of a mobile computing device mayincrease a sensitivity of the capacitive input sensor in response todetermining that the interaction profile (e.g., capacitive profile,acceleration profile, image profile, audio profile, angular velocityprofile, temperature profiles, light profile, electromagnetic profile,etc.) is inconsistent with in-hand operation (e.g., non-finger shaped orthat the mobile computing device has been enclosed or partially enclosedby a barrier, such as a case, sleeve, etc.) For example, the processorof the mobile computing device may increase the sensitivity byincreasing a gain of the capacitive input sensor. As another example,the processor of the mobile computing device may increase thesensitivity by adjusting controllable capacitance values for thecapacitive input sensor. As another example, the processor of the mobilecomputing device may increase the sensitivity by by making any otherhardware and/or software adjustment of the rear area capacitive inputsensor that results in increased sensitivity. The increase insensitivity may enable the capacitive input sensor to be operatedthrough the back wall of a case, through a sleeve (e.g., through ascreen cover, wrap, etc.), through leather of a bag, cloth of a pocket,or other materials that may be covering some or all of the rear areacapacitive input sensor. This increased sensitivity may enable thecapacitive input sensor to recognize a user's touch and gestures throughthe outside of his or her pocket, bag, phone case, or other structure inwhich the mobile computing device may be “put away.” Thus, by increasingthe sensitivity of the capacitive input sensor, the user may be able tointeract with the capacitive input sensor while the mobile computingdevice is otherwise in a put-away state, such as interacting with a reararea capacitive input sensor that is covered by a barrier, such as acase, sleeve, etc.

In various embodiments, the processor of the mobile computing device maymonitor one or more sensor outputs in response to determining that theinteraction profile, such as the capacitive profile, the accelerationprofile, the image profile, the audio profile, the angular velocityprofile, the temperature profiles, the light profile, theelectromagnetic profile, etc., is inconsistent with in-hand operation.As discussed above, the processor may monitor, singularly or in anycombination, capacitive sensor outputs, accelerometer outputs, cameraoutputs, touch screen outputs, microphone outputs, pressure sensoroutputs, gyroscope outputs, heat sensor outputs, ambient light sensoroutputs, and bolometer outputs, or outputs of any other type sensorsavailable on the mobile computing device. Additionally, a sensor outputmay be an indication of whether a front screen is on or off.

In various embodiments, the processor of the mobile computing device maydetermine whether one or more sensor outputs indicate the mobilecomputing device is in a put-away state or enclosed by a barrier, suchas in a case, wrapped by a sleeve or other covering, etc. For example,one or more of the outputs of the sensors may be compared to one or morethresholds, singularly or in combination, and the one or more of theoutputs being above or below the thresholds may indicate the mobilecomputing device is in a put-away state. As a specific example, a camerasensing a threshold level of darkness for a period time whileaccelerometer movements are detected may indicate the mobile computingdevice is in a closed bag or pocket. As another example, a microphoneoutput being consistent with the shuffling and muffling sounds typicalin a pocket or bag may indicate the mobile computing device is in apocket or bag. As a further example, a heat sensor output being slightlyelevated while other sensor outputs remain in normal operating conditionoutput ranges may indicate the mobile computing device has been placedin a protective case or other covering.

In some embodiments, the processor of the mobile computing device may beconfigured to learn various user-designated put-away states, such asthrough a calibration or registration process in which the user placesthe mobile computing device in a particular put-away state long enoughto enable the processor to gather various sensor data to be correlatedto the particular put-away state. Such sensor data may be stored inmemory and subsequently used as thresholds for determining when themobile computing device is in a put-away state.

In some embodiments, the processor of the mobile computing device may beconfigured to distinguish between different put-away states, such as bymonitoring sensor outputs to distinguish a first put-away state from asecond put-away state. For example, sensor data from a heat sensor maydistinguish the mobile computing device being in a put-away stateassociated with being in a purse or bag from a put-away state in apocket because the pocket may be associated with a higher temperaturethreshold.

In some embodiments, the processor of the mobile computing device may beconfigured to determine which surface of the mobile computing device isfacing outward or upward in a particular put-away state (e.g., away froma user's body in a pocket, etc.) based on the sensor outputs. Forexample, outputs from a heat sensor used by the processor to detect thesurface that is warmest and the processor may indicate the surface thatis opposite the warmest surface as the outward facing surface. Asanother example, data generated by ambient light sensors may be used bythe processor to determine the surface that is darkest (or lightest),and the processor may indicate that the outward facing surface is thelightest surface or the surface opposite to the darkest surface.

In some embodiments, the processor of the mobile computing device may beconfigured to determine the surface of the mobile computing device thatis covered by a barrier, such as a protective case or other covering.For example, outputs from a heat sensor may be used by the processor todetect an elevated temperature on a surface of the mobile computingdevice while other sensor outputs indicate lower temperatures ortemperatures in a normal operating range. The processor may determinethat the surface with the elevated temperature is the surface covered bya barrier, such as a protective case or other covering.

In various embodiments, the processor of the mobile computing device mayselect a gesture profile for use by the mobile computing device based onthe operational context of the mobile computing device. Differentgesture profiles may be associated with different put-away states, andbased on determining the type of put-away state, the processor of themobile computing device may select a gesture profile associated withthat put-away state type. For example, sensor outputs, such as heatsensor outputs, light sensor outputs, accelerometer outputs, etc., maybe used by the processor of the mobile computing device in differentoperating modes to select a gesture profile to use in interpretingvarious user inputs, such as touches on a capacitive input sensor. As aspecific example, heat sensor and light sensor outputs in a put-awaymode may distinguish between the put-away state being in a bag and theput-away state being in a pocket and the gesture profile for the pocketput-away state or gesture profile for the bag put-away state may beselected by the processor for use by the mobile computing deviceaccordingly.

In various embodiments, the processor of the mobile computing device mayoperate the mobile computing device in a put-away mode in response todetermining that the one or more sensor outputs indicate the mobilecomputing device is in the put-away state. For ease of reference, anyoperating mode in which the sensitivity of a capacitive input sensor(e.g., a rear area sensor) is increased to account for a covering, suchas a case, sleeve, etc., is referred to herein as a “put-away mode,”even though the mobile computing device may still be in use, such as maybe the case when the rear area is covered by a protective case orsleeve.

In various embodiments, a put-away mode may be a mode of operation inwhich selected user interactions with the capacitive input sensor may beenabled to control the operation of the mobile computing device. Invarious embodiments, the selected user interactions may be differentuser interactions with the capacitive input sensor than may be enabledin other operational contexts (e.g., normal, non-stowed operation). Insome embodiments, the processor of the mobile computing device may beconfigured to learn various user-designated put-away modes, such asthrough a calibration or registration process in which the user linkspreferred interactions to various functions, device states, etc.

In some embodiments, the processor of the mobile computing device may beconfigured to adjust an operating state of the hardware of the mobilecomputing device in various put-away modes. For example, in a put-awaymode the mobile computing device processor may activate and/or increasethe sensitivity of the capacitive input sensor on a surface of themobile computing device determined to be the outward or upward facingsurface and/or to be the surface covered by a protective case or othercovering. As another example, in a put-away mode the mobile computingdevice processor may cease the display of icons or other graphicalelements on the screen(s) of the mobile computing device.

An example of selected user interactions that may be enabled in aput-away mode includes allowing a user to apply a gesture to a rear areacapacitive input sensor to turn off the ringer/vibration when the mobilecomputing device is ringing/vibrating. Another example of selected userinteractions that may be enabled in a put-away mode includes using a tapor touch on the capacitive input sensor through the outside of pants ora bag to cause the mobile computing device to read out who the call iscoming from. Another example of selected user interactions that may beenabled in a put-away mode includes touches or gestures on a rear areacapacitive input sensor to toggle silent mode. Another example ofselected user interactions that may be enabled in a put-away modeincludes touches or gestures on a rear area capacitive input sensor toincrease/decrease ringer volume. Another example of selected userinteractions that may be enabled in a put-away mode includes touches orgestures on a rear area capacitive input sensor to read out the currenttime.

The selected user interactions in the put-away mode, as well as othermodes of operation, may be defined in a gesture profile. Gestureprofiles may associate user interface functions of a mobile computingdevice with operating modes of the mobile computing device. In differentgesture profiles, operations of a mobile device may be controlleddifferently in response to the same user interaction with the mobilecomputing device. For example, in the gesture profile associated with apocket put-away mode, a given touch or gesture on a rear area capacitiveinput sensor may toggle silent mode; in the gesture profile associatedwith a bag or purse put-away mode, the same touch or gesture on a reararea capacitive input sensor may cause the mobile computing device toread out who is calling when the phone is ringing; and in the gestureprofile associated with a normal mode, the same touch or gesture on arear area capacitive input sensor may enlarge the text on a screen ofthe mobile computing device.

In embodiments in which the mobile computing device may be connected toanother device, selected user interactions with a rear area capacitiveinput sensor that may be enabled in a put-away mode may include allowingtouches or gestures to the rear area capacitive sensor to control theinteraction with that other device. In some embodiments, the otherdevice may be a wearable device. An example of a wearable devicesuitable for use with various embodiments is a virtual reality (VR)head-mounted display (HMD). Another example of a wearable devicesuitable for use with various embodiments is augmented reality (AR)glasses. As an illustrative example, when a pair of AR glasses isshowing content, taps on the rear area capacitive input sensor of apocketed or encased mobile computing device may be interpreted by theprocessor to show/hide AR content, move content, etc.

In various embodiments, the processor of the mobile computing device maydetermine when the operating state changes from put-away mode to normalmode by monitoring the output of one or more sensors of the mobilecomputing device. For example, a light level change detected by a lightmeter or camera may be used by the processor of the mobile computingdevice to conclude that the mobile computing device has been removedfrom a pocket or a bag. As another example, an accelerometer detecting achange in acceleration may be used by the processor of the mobilecomputing device to conclude the mobile computing device has beenremoved from a pocket or a bag.

In response to determining that one or more sensor outputs indicate thatthe operating state has changed from put-away to normal, the processorof the computing device may change the operating mode to the normalmode. In various embodiments, in response to changing to the normalmode, the processor may use a normal mode gesture profile to determineappropriate functions or responses to various touch inputs. For example,the processor of the mobile computing device may decrease thesensitivity of the capacitive input sensor.

Additionally, in the put-away mode the processor may alter mobilecomputing device behavior by not illuminating lights or the displayand/or making sounds for alerts until the device is out of the put-awaystate. For example, once the mobile computing device is out of thepocket or the bag, the processor may return display and soundfunctionality to normal. As another example, the processor may turn onthe front screen in response to the bag being opened or the mobilecomputing device exiting a pocket, which may be determined when thelight meter detects a large change in light levels after a sustainedperiod of darkness. Optionally, in a put-away mode, the user may begiven the option to only use vibrate when the mobile computing device isin a pocket.

Additionally, certain gestures may have specific responses in put-awaymode. For example, in put-away mode a whole hand touch of a rear areacapacitive input sensor through the outside of pants may turn off theringer as it rings. As another example, in put-away mode, stroke ormulti-stroke gestures may be performed on the rear area capacitive inputsensor to automatically launch specific applications or perform specificactions when the screen is off or on. For example, drawing a “C” withthe index finger on the rear area capacitive input sensor when thescreen is off may launch the camera. Gripping the mobile computingdevice in particular ways when the screen is off when in put-away modemay automatically launch an associated application. For example,gripping the mobile computing device with both hands in portraitorientation in a put-away mode, as may be sensed by side mountedcapacitive input sensors, may launch a messaging application and eitherallow the user to readily reply to a recent message, or if there was norecent message, allow composing a new message. As another example,gripping the mobile computing device with both hands on the edges, asmay be sensed by side mounted capacitive input sensors, and turning itvertically in the put-away mode may launch the camera. As a furtherexample, gripping the mobile computing device with both hands while therear area capacitive input sensor rests on the index fingers in put-awaymode may launch the media player application, a gallery application, ora gaming application based on user preferences.

As described below, a mobile computing device may have capacitive inputsensors on each surface, including rear area capacitive input sensors,side capacitive input sensors, top capacitive input sensors, and bottomcapacitive input sensors, in addition to the normal touchscreen displayon the front surface. Any and all of the capacitive input sensors may beinvolved in various embodiments. For ease of describing variousembodiments, the descriptions may only refer to rear area capacitiveinput sensors as such sensors have general applicability. However, suchreferences are not intended to limit the claims to just rear areacapacitive sensors unless so recited in the claims.

Various examples of touch input sensors are discussed herein,specifically capacitive input sensors. The references to capacitiveinput sensors are provided merely as examples to better illustrate theaspects of the various embodiments, and are not intended to limit thevarious embodiments in any way. Other touch input sensors, such asresistive input sensors, infrared input sensors, etc., may be used withthe various embodiments, and the other touch input sensors may besubstituted in the various examples without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention. As one example, rather than a capacitive profilebeing generated and determined to be non-finger shaped, another profiletype associated with other touch input sensors (e.g., a resistiveprofile, an infrared profile, etc.) may be generated and determined tobe non-finger shaped.

Various embodiments may be implemented within a variety of mobilecomputing devices, an example of which is illustrated in FIGS. 1A and1B. With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a mobile computing device 100 mayinclude a body 110 having a front area 112, a rear area 114, two sides116 a, 116 b between the front area 112 and the rear area 114, and a toparea 118 between the front area 112 and the rear area 114. The frontarea 112 may include a capacitive input sensor 102 that may beincorporated within a display in the form of a touchscreen display. Therear area 114 may include a capacitive input sensor 104. One or both ofthe sides 116 a, 116 b may include a capacitive input sensor 106. Thetop area 118 may include a capacitive input sensor 108. Thus, the body110 of the mobile computing device 100 may include one or morecapacitive input sensors on the front area 112, the rear area 114, theone or more sides 116 a, 116 b, and the top area 118. The capacitiveinput sensors 102, 104, 106, 108 may be configured to receive an input124, 132 from a user's finger 120, 128 and/or an input 126, 134 from auser's thumb 122, 130.

A capacitive input sensor 102, 104, 106, 108 is configured to detect achange in capacitance at a location where the sensor is touched (ornearly touched) by an object, particularly by a user's hand, thumb orfingers. While finger and thumb touches 124, 126, 132, and 134 on thecapacitive input sensors 102, 104, 106 are illustrated in FIGS. 1A and1B, the sensors may detect a change in capacitance from any contact witha user's body, such as contact with a user's palm or face, touches by astylus or another similar input device, and the like. In someembodiments, a capacitive input sensor 102, 104, 106, 108 may detect twoor more contact locations (e.g., a multi-touch sensor). In someembodiments, a capacitive input sensor 102, 104, 106, 108 may detect apressure of one or more contacts. Outputs from the various capacitiveinput sensors 102, 104, 106, 108 may be provided to a processor (e.g., aprocessor that is included within or coupled to the capacitive inputsensors 102, 104, 106, 108) that is configured to determine locations oftouches that may be treated as user inputs to the mobile computingdevice 100.

In some embodiments, a processor of the mobile computing device 100and/or of the capacitive input sensors 102, 104, 106, 108 may determinethat one or more contacts have a duration that is less than, equal to,or greater than a threshold period of time. In some embodiments, such aprocessor may determine whether contacts on the capacitive input sensors102, 104, 106, 108 are contiguous contacts, such as may be caused by a“swipe,” a “gesture,” or another similar series of contacts. In someembodiments, the processor of the mobile computing device maydistinguish between a tap, a double tap, a long press, a sweep or flick,a drag, a predefined gesture including a plurality of touch and/orpressure inputs, a grip, or any combination thereof. A predefinedgesture may be a sequence of one or more of a tap, a double tap, a longtap, a sweep or flick, a drag, a press, a long press, and the like. Thepredefined gesture may be configured by a user or may be a defaultgesture. A grip may be a combination of concurrent contacts at multiplelocations of the capacitive input sensors 102, 104, 106, 108, which maybe persistent for at least a minimum duration. In some embodiments, thecapacitive input sensors 102, 104, 106, 108 may be configured to detecta proximity or near-contact (e.g., a “hover”) by a user's finger orthumb prior to or without physical contact.

While input sensors 102, 104, 106, 108 are discussed herein generally interms of capacitive sensors that detect touches based on changes incapacitance, such sensors are used merely as an example of one type ofinput sensor suitable for use with the various embodiments. Other typesof input sensors, such as resistive-sensing input sensors, infraredsensing input sensors, resistive force sensors, etc., may be substitutedfor capacitive sensing input sensors in various embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an example mobile computingdevice 200 that is suitable for implementing various embodiments. Withreference to FIGS. 1A-2, the mobile computing device 200 may be similarto the mobile computing device 100. For example, the mobile computingdevice 200 may be a multi-SIM computing device, such as multiple SIMmultiple standby (MSMS) computing device. The mobile computing device200 may include at least one subscriber identity module (SIM) interface202, which may receive a first SIM (“SIM-1”) 204 a that is associatedwith a first subscription. In some aspects, the at least one SIMinterface 202 may be implemented as multiple SIM interfaces 202, whichmay receive at least a second that is associated with at least a secondsubscription.

A SIM in various aspects may be a Universal Integrated Circuit Card(UICC) that is configured with SIM and/or universal SIM (USIM)applications, enabling access to a variety of different networks. TheUICC may also provide storage for a phone book and other applications.Alternatively, in a code division multiple access (CDMA) network, a SIMmay be a UICC removable user identity module (R-UIM) or a CDMAsubscriber identity module (CSIM) on a card.

Each SIM 204 a may have a CPU, ROM, RAM, EEPROM and I/O circuits. One ormore of the first SIM 204 a and any additional SIMs used in variousaspects may contain user account information, an international mobilestation identifier (IMSI), a set of SIM application toolkit (SAT)commands and storage space for phone book contacts. One or more of thefirst SIM 204 a and any additional SIMs may further store homeidentifiers (e.g., a System Identification Number (SID)/NetworkIdentification Number (NID) pair, a Home PLMN (HPLMN) code, etc.) toindicate the SIM network operator provider. An Integrated Circuit CardIdentity (ICCID) SIM serial number may be printed on one or more SIM 204a for identification. In some aspects, additional SIMs may be providedfor use on the mobile computing device 200 through a virtual SIM (VSIM)application (not shown). For example, the VSIM application may implementremote SIMs on the mobile computing device 200 by provisioningcorresponding SIM profiles.

The mobile computing device 200 may include at least one controller,such as a general-purpose processor 206, which may be coupled to acoder/decoder (CODEC) 208. The CODEC 208 may in turn be coupled to aspeaker 210 and a microphone 212. The general purpose processor 206 mayalso be coupled to at least one memory 214. The memory 214 may be anon-transitory tangible computer readable storage medium that storesprocessor-executable instructions. For example, the instructions mayinclude routing communication data relating to a subscription though thetransmit chain and receive chain of a corresponding baseband-RF resourcechain. The memory 214 may store operating system (OS), as well as userapplication software and executable instructions. The general purposeprocessor 206 and memory 214 may each be coupled to at least onebaseband-modem processor 216. Each SIM 204 a in the mobile computingdevice 200 may be associated with a baseband-RF resource chain thatincludes at least one baseband-modem processor 216 and at least oneradio frequency (RF) resource 218.

The RF resource 218 may include receiver and transmitter circuitrycoupled to at least one antenna 220, and configured to performtransmit/receive functions for the wireless services associated witheach SIM 204 a of the computing device 200. The RF resource 218 mayimplement separate transmit and receive functionalities, or may includea transceiver that combines transmitter and receiver functions. The RFresource 218 may be configured to support multiple radio accesstechnologies/wireless networks that operate according to differentwireless communication protocols. The RF resource 218 may include orprovide connections to different sets of amplifiers, digital to analogconverters, analog to digital converters, filters, voltage controlledoscillators, etc. Multiple antennas 220 and/or receive blocks may becoupled to the RF resource 218 to facilitate multimode communicationwith various combinations of antenna and receiver/transmitterfrequencies and protocols (e.g., LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth and/or the like).

The baseband-modem processor of a mobile computing device 200 may beconfigured to execute software including at least one modem stackassociated with at least one SIM. SIMs and associated modem stacks maybe configured to support a variety of communication services thatfulfill different user requirements. Further, a particular SIM may beprovisioned with information to execute different signaling proceduresfor accessing a domain of the core network associated with theseservices and for handling data thereof.

In some aspects, the general purpose processor 206, memory 214,baseband-modem processor 216, and RF resource 218 may be included in asystem-on-chip device 222. The SIMs 204 a and their correspondinginterface(s) 202 may be external to the system-on-chip device 222.Further, various input and output devices may be coupled to componentsof the system-on-chip device 222, such as interfaces or controllers.Example user input components suitable for use in the mobile computingdevice 200 may include, but are not limited to, a keypad 224, atouchscreen 226, such as a beveled edge touchscreen, one or morecapacitive sensors 227, and one or more other sensors 229. The one ormore capacitive sensors 227 may be similar to the capacitive inputsensors 102, 104, 106, 108 described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B.The one or more other sensors 229 may be any type of sensors availableon a mobile computing device, such as, singularly or in combination, oneor more accelerometer, one or more camera, one or more pressure sensor,one or more gyroscope, one or more heat sensor, one or more ambientlight sensor, and one or more bolometer.

In various aspects, the one or more capacitive sensors 227 may beconnected to one or more microcontrollers 228, and themicrocontroller(s) 228 may be connected to the general-purpose processor206. In various aspects, the microcontroller(s) 228 may be configuredwith microcontroller-executable instructions to perform operations todetermine whether a contact is occurring on the one or more capacitivesensors 227. In various aspects, the microcontroller(s) 228 may beconfigured with microcontroller-executable instructions to performoperations to determine the location of the contact. In various aspects,the microcontroller(s) 228 may be configured withmicrocontroller-executable instructions to perform operations to send anindication of the contact including contact parameter information to thegeneral purpose processor 206. In various aspects, the general purposeprocessor 206 may receive an indication of a contact from themicrocontroller(s) 228.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment method 300 for contextual operation ofa mobile computing device, such as a mobile computing device (e.g.,mobile computing device 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, mobile computing device200 of FIG. 2, etc.) including a rear area capacitive input sensor(e.g., capacitive input sensor 104 of rear area 114 of mobile computingdevice 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, capacitive sensor(s) 227 of mobilecomputing device 200 of FIG. 2, etc.). In various embodiments, theoperations of the method 300 may be performed by a processor (e.g.,general purpose processor 206 of mobile computing device 200, etc.) of amobile computing device, such as a mobile computing device including arear area capacitive input sensor.

With reference to FIGS. 1A-3, in block 302, the processor may monitorsensor measurements received by the processor from one or more sensors.An example of sensors that may be monitored include one or morecapacitive sensors. Another example of sensors that may be monitoredinclude one or more accelerometers. Another example of sensors that maybe monitored include one or more cameras. Another example of sensorsthat may be monitored include one or more microphones. Another exampleof sensors that may be monitored include one or more gyroscopes. Anotherexample of sensors that may be monitored include one or more heatsensors. Another example of sensors that may be monitored include one ormore ambient light sensors. Another example of sensors that may bemonitored include one or more bolometers. As a specific example, theprocessor may monitor rear area capacitive input sensor measurements.Any number or combinations of such sensors may be monitored by theprocessor.

In block 304, the processor may generate an interaction profile based onthe sensor measurements. An interaction profile may be generated basedon one or more sensor measurements alone or in combinations, such ascapacitive sensor measurements, accelerometer measurements, outputs froma camera, outputs from a microphone, gyroscope measurements, heat sensormeasurements, ambient light sensor measurements, bolometer measurements,or any other type of sensor measurements. As a specific example, theprocessor may generate a capacitive profile based on the rear areacapacitive input sensor measurements. As an example, the processor ofthe mobile computing device may generate a capacitive profile based onthe rear area capacitive input sensor measurements by mappingcapacitance levels measured by the rear area capacitive input sensorthat are at or above a threshold. All, or a portion, of the map of thecapacitance levels may be used as the capacitive profile.

In determination block 306, the processor of the mobile computing devicemay determine whether the interaction profile is inconsistent within-hand operation. The processor of the mobile computing device maydetermine whether the interaction profile is inconsistent with in-handoperation by comparing the interaction profile to stored interactionprofiles associated with in-hand operation. For example, the processormay compare the interaction profile to one or more of capacitiveprofiles associated with a mobile computing device being held, such ascapacitive profiles of fingers and/or other parts of a hand touching amobile computing device when the mobile computing device is held. Asanother example, the processor may compare the interaction profile toacceleration profiles associated with a mobile computing device beingheld. As another example, the processor may compare the interactionprofile to image profiles of fingers or other parts of a hand. Asanother example, the processor may compare the interaction profile toaudio profiles associated with a mobile computing device being held. Asanother example, the processor may compare the interaction profile toangular velocity profiles associated with a mobile computing devicebeing held. As another example, the processor may compare theinteraction profile to temperature profiles associated with a mobilecomputing device being held. As another example, the processor maycompare the interaction profile to light profiles associated with amobile computing device being held. As another example, the processormay compare the interaction profile to electromagnetic profilesassociated with a mobile computing device being held. As anotherexample, the processor may compare the interaction profile to two ormore of the sensors profiles associated with a mobile computing devicebeing held.

As an example, the processor of the mobile computing device maydetermine whether a temperature profile reflects a temperature below atemperature associated with a temperature profile of the mobilecomputing device being held in a user's hand to determine whether theinteraction profile is inconsistent with in-hand operation. As a furtherexample, the processor of the mobile computing device may determinewhether an angular velocity profile is different that an angularvelocity profile of the mobile computing device when being held by auser to determine whether the interaction profile is inconsistent within-hand operation. As another example, the processor of the mobilecomputing device may determine whether a capacitive profile isnon-finger shaped to determine whether the interaction profile isinconsistent with in-hand operation.

The processor of the mobile computing device may determine whether thecapacitive profile is non-finger shaped by comparing the capacitiveprofile to stored capacitive profiles of capacitive input sensor outputswhen one or more fingers are touching the sensor. As an example, a keyin a pocket or bag touching the rear area capacitive input sensor mayresult in a non-finger matching profile being generated. As anotherexample, a case on the mobile computing device covering all or a portionof the rear area capacitive input sensor may result in generation of anon-finger matching profile. As a further example, the cloth of a pocketor bag touching the rear area capacitive input sensor may result ingenerating a non-finger matching profile. As a further example, a casemay include surfaces or structures that may be interact with the reararea capacitive input sensor and result in generating a non-fingermatching profile.

In response to determining that the interaction profile is consistentwith in-hand operation (i.e., determination block 306=“No”), theprocessor may continue to monitor sensor measurements in block 302. Forexample, in response to determining that a capacitive profile is fingershaped, the processor may continue to monitor the rear area capacitiveinput sensor measurements.

In response to determining that the interaction profile is inconsistentwith in-hand operation (i.e., determination block 306=“Yes”), theprocessor may increase a sensitivity of the rear area capacitive inputsensor in block 308. For example, the processor of the mobile computingdevice may increase the sensitivity by increasing a gain of the reararea capacitive input sensor. As another example, the processor of themobile computing device may increase the sensitivity by adjustingcontrollable capacitance values for the rear area capacitive inputsensor. As another example, the processor of the mobile computing devicemay increase the sensitivity by making any other hardware and/orsoftware adjustment of the rear area capacitive input sensor thatresults in increased sensitivity. The increase in sensitivity may enablethe rear area capacitive input sensor to detect a user's touch throughcloth or other materials that may be covering some or all of the reararea capacitive input sensor. In this manner, the user may able tointeract with the rear area capacitive input sensor while the mobilecomputing device is in a put-away state, such as in a pocket, inside abag, or in a case or other type covering.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment method 400 for contextual operation ofa mobile computing device, such as a mobile computing device (e.g.,mobile computing device 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, mobile computing device200 of FIG. 2, etc.) including a rear area capacitive input sensor(e.g., capacitive input sensor 104 of rear area 114 of mobile computingdevice 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, capacitive sensor(s) 227 of mobilecomputing device 200 of FIG. 2, etc.). In various embodiments, theoperations of method 400 may be performed by a processor (e.g., generalpurpose processor 206 of mobile computing device 200, etc.) of a mobilecomputing device, such as a mobile computing device including a reararea capacitive input sensor.

With reference to FIGS. 1A-4, in blocks 302, 304, and 306, the processorof the mobile computing device may perform operations of like numberedblocks of method 300 as described with reference to FIG. 3. In responseto determining that the interaction profile is inconsistent with in-handoperation (i.e., determination block 306=“Yes”), the processor maymonitor sensor outputs in block 402. As examples, the processor maymonitor, singularly or in any combination, capacitive sensor outputs,accelerometer outputs, camera outputs, touch screen outputs, microphoneoutputs, pressure sensor outputs, gyroscope outputs, heat sensoroutputs, ambient light sensor outputs, and bolometer outputs, or outputsof any other type sensors available on the mobile computing device.Additionally, a sensor output may be a determination as to whether afront screen is on or off. As a specific example, the processor maymonitor one or more other sensor outputs from sensors other than acapacitive input sensor in response to determining that a capacitiveprofile generated based on capacitive input senor measurementsinconsistent with in-hand operation because the capacitive profile isnot finger shaped.

In determination block 404, the processor of the mobile computing devicemay determine whether the mobile computing device is in a put-awaystate. In various embodiments, one or more sensor outputs, such assensor outputs from, singularly or in any combination, one or morecapacitive sensors, one or more accelerometers, one or more cameras, oneor more touch screens, one or more microphones, one or more pressuresensors, one or more gyroscopes, one or more heat sensors, one or moreambient light sensors, one or more bolometers, etc., may indicate themobile computing device is in a put-away state. For example, one or moreof the outputs of the sensors may be compared to one or more thresholds,singularly or in combination, and the one or more of the outputs beingabove or below the thresholds may indicate the mobile computing deviceis in a put-away state. As a specific example, a camera sensing athreshold level of darkness for a period time while accelerometermovements are detected may indicate the mobile computing device is in aclosed bag or pocket. As another specific example, a microphone outputbeing consistent with the shuffling and muffling sounds typical in apocket or bag may indicate the mobile computing device is in a pocket orbag. As a further specific example, a heat sensor output being slightlyelevated while other sensor outputs remain in normal operating conditionoutput ranges may indicate that the mobile computing device has beenplaced in a protective case or other covering.

In response to determining that the mobile computing device is in theput-away state (i.e., determination block 404=“Yes”), the processor ofthe mobile computing device may operate the mobile computing device in aput-away mode in block 406. In various embodiments, a put-away mode maybe a mode of operation in which selected user interactions with the reararea capacitive input sensor may be enabled to control the operation ofthe mobile computing device. In various embodiments, the selected userinteractions may be different user interactions with the rear areacapacitive input sensor than may be enabled in various operationalcontexts (e.g., normal, non-stowed operation). In various embodiments,different gesture profiles may be used on the mobile computing device inthe put-away mode than are used in the normal mode. Gesture profiles mayassociate user interface functions of a mobile computing device withoperating modes of the mobile computing device. Operations of a mobiledevice may be controlled differently in response to the same userinteraction with the mobile computing device in put-away mode than innormal mode based on the put-away mode gesture profile being differentthan the normal mode gesture profile.

An example of selected user interactions that may be enabled in aput-away mode includes allowing a user to apply a gesture to a rear areacapacitive input sensor to turn off the ringer/vibration when the mobilecomputing device is ringing/vibrating. Another example of selected userinteractions that may be enabled in a put-away mode includes using a tapor touch on the capacitive input sensor through the outside of pants ora bag to cause the mobile computing device to read out who the call iscoming from. Another example of selected user interactions that may beenabled in a put-away mode includes touches or gestures on a rear areacapacitive input sensor to toggle silent mode. Another example ofselected user interactions that may be enabled in a put-away modeincludes touches or gestures on a rear area capacitive input sensor toincrease/decrease ringer volume. Another example of selected userinteractions that may be enabled in a put-away mode includes touches orgestures on a rear area capacitive input sensor to read out the currenttime. Such example interactions may be enabled by the put-away modegesture profile.

In some embodiments, the processor of the mobile computing device may beconfigured to determine the surface of the mobile computing device thatis facing outward in a particular put-away state (e.g., away from auser's body in a pocket, etc.) based on the one or more other sensoroutputs. For example, a heat sensor may detect be used by the processorto detect which surface is warmest and the processor may indicate thesurface opposite the warmest surface as the outward facing surface. Asanother example, an ambient light sensor may be used by the processor todetermine the surface that is darkest (or lightest), and the processormay indicate the lightest surface or the surface opposite the darkestsurface as the outward facing surface.

In some embodiments, the processor of the mobile computing device may beconfigured to determine the surface of the mobile computing device thatis covered by a protective case or other covering. For example, outputsfrom a heat sensor may be used by the processor to detect an elevatedtemperature on a surface of the mobile computing device while othersensor outputs may be determined by the processor to remain in normaloperating condition output ranges. The processor may determine that thesurface with the elevated temperature is the surface covered by aprotective case or other covering.

In some embodiments, the processor of the mobile computing device may beconfigured to adjust an operating state of the hardware of the mobilecomputing device in various put-away modes. For example, in a put-awaymode the mobile computing device processor may activate and/or increasethe sensitivity of the capacitive input sensor on a surface of themobile computing device determined to be the outward facing surfaceand/or to be the surface covered by a protective case or other covering.

In some embodiments, the processor of the mobile computing device may beconfigured to learn various user-designated put-away states, such asthrough a calibration or registration process in which the user placesthe mobile computing device in a particular put-away state long enoughto enable the processor to gather various sensor data to be correlatedto the particular put-away state. Such sensor data may be stored inmemory and subsequently used as thresholds for determining when themobile computing device is in a put-away state. In some embodiments, theprocessor of the mobile computing device may be configured todistinguish between different put-away states, such as by monitoringsensor outputs to distinguish a first put-away state from a secondput-away state. For example, the processor may use sensor data from aheat sensor to distinguish the mobile computing device being in aput-away state within a purse or bag from a put-away state in a pocketbecause the mobile computing device may be warmer when in a pocket thanin a bag. In various embodiments, the processor of the mobile computingdevice may adjust the operating state of the hardware of the mobilecomputing device based on the gesture profile associated with thevarious put-away modes.

In embodiments in which the mobile computing device may be connected toanother device selected user interactions with the rear area capacitiveinput sensor that may be enabled in a put-away mode may include allowingtouches or gestures to the rear area capacitive sensor to control theinteraction with that another device. In some embodiments, the otherdevice may be a wearable device. An example of a wearable devicesuitable for use with various embodiments is a VR head-mounted display(HMD). Another example of a wearable device suitable for use withvarious embodiments is AR glasses. For instance, the AR glasses may beshowing content and taps on the rear area capacitive input sensor of apocketed or encased mobile computing device may be used to show/hide ARcontent, move content, etc.

Additionally, in the put-away mode the processor may alter mobilecomputing device behaviors by not showing lights and/or making soundsfor alerts until it is out of the put-away state (e.g., out of thepocket or the bag and/or turning on the front screen in response to thebag being opened) as may be indicated by the light meter detecting alarge change in light levels after a sustained period of darkness).Optionally, in the put-away mode, the user may be given the option toonly use vibrate when the mobile computing device is in a pocket.Additionally, certain gestures may be linked to specific responses orfunctionality in put-away mode. For example, in put-away mode a wholehand touch of the rear area capacitive input sensor through the outsideof pants may turn off the ringer as it rings. Similar functionalityenabling controlling functionality (e.g., turning off a ringer) may beimplemented for mobile computing device in a case, such as when themobile computing device is on a surface with the touchscreen displaydown, by sensing user interactions (e.g., a whole hand touch) on theback side of the case.

Additionally, in the put-away mode, stroke or multi-stroke gestures maybe performed on the rear area capacitive input sensor to automaticallylaunch specific applications or perform specific actions when the screenis off or on. For example, drawing a “C” with the index finger on therear area capacitive input sensor when the screen is off may launch thecamera. Gripping the mobile computing device in particular ways when thescreen is off in put-away mode may automatically launch an associatedapplication. For example, gripping the mobile computing device with bothhands in portrait orientation in the put-away mode may launch amessaging application and either allow the user to readily reply to arecent message, or if there was no recent message, allow composing a newmessage. As another example, gripping the mobile computing device withboth hands on the edges and turning it vertically in the put-away modemay launch the camera. As a further example, gripping the mobilecomputing device with both hands while the rear area capacitive inputsensor rests on the index fingers in put-away mode may launch the mediaplayer application, a gallery application, or a gaming application basedon user preferences. Similar functionality may be implemented for mobilecomputing device in a case by sensing user interactions (e.g., a grip)with various surfaces of the case.

In response to operating the mobile computing device in put-away mode orin response to determining that the mobile computing device is in theput-away state (i.e., determination block 404=“No”), the processor ofthe mobile computing device may perform operations of like numberedblock 308 of the method 300 as described with reference to FIG. 3 toincrease the sensitivity of the rear area capacitive input sensor.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment method 500 for contextual operation ofa mobile computing device, such as a mobile computing device (e.g.,mobile computing device 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, mobile computing device200 of FIG. 2, etc.) including a rear area capacitive input sensor(e.g., capacitive input sensor 104 of rear area 114 of mobile computingdevice 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, capacitive sensor(s) 227 of mobilecomputing device 200 of FIG. 2, etc.). In various embodiments, theoperations of the method 500 may be performed by a processor (e.g.,general purpose processor 206 of mobile computing device 200, etc.) of amobile computing device including a rear area capacitive input sensor.

With reference to FIGS. 1A-5, in blocks 302, 304, 306, 402, 404, 406,and 308 the processor of the mobile computing device may performoperations of like numbered blocks of the methods 300 and 400 asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

In response to determining that the interaction profile is consistentwith in-hand operation (i.e., determination block 306=“Yes”), theprocessor may determine whether the mobile computing device is in aput-away mode in determination block 502. For example, the processor maycheck the status of a mode indicator flag or other element in memory todetermine whether the mobile computing device is in a put-away mode. Inresponse to determining that the mobile computing device is not in aput-away mode (i.e., determination block 502=“No”), the processor maymonitor the sensor measurements in block 302.

In response to determining that that the mobile computing device is in aput-away mode (i.e., determination block 502=“Yes”), the processor maymonitor one or more sensor outputs in block 504. As examples, theprocessor may monitor, singularly or in any combination, capacitivesensor outputs, accelerometer outputs, camera outputs, touch screenoutputs, microphone outputs, pressure sensor outputs, gyroscope outputs,heat sensor outputs, ambient light sensor outputs, and bolometeroutputs, or outputs of any other type sensors available on the mobilecomputing device. Additionally, a sensor output may be a determinationas to whether a front screen is on or off. As a specific example, theprocessor may monitor one or more other sensor outputs from sensorsother than a capacitive input sensor in response to determining that themobile computing device is in a put-away mode.

In determination block 506 the processor may determine whether themobile computing device is in a normal state. For example, one or moreof the outputs of the sensors may be compared to one or more thresholds,singularly or in combination, and one or more of the outputs being aboveor below the thresholds may indicate the mobile computing device is in anormal state. As a specific example, a light meter or camera sensing athreshold level of light for a threshold period time while accelerometermovements are detected may indicate the mobile computing device isoutside a pocket or bag, which may be a normal state for the mobilecomputing device. As another specific example, a microphone input thatis consistent with a user's voice may indicate the mobile computingdevice is being held near a user's face, which may be a normal state forthe mobile computing device. As another example, a light level changedetected by a light meter or camera may be interpreted by the processorof the mobile computing device as indicating that the mobile computingdevice has been removed from a pocket or a bag and is being used in anormal state for the mobile computing device.

In response to determining that the mobile computing device is not in anormal state (i.e., determination block 506=“No”), the processor maymonitor the sensor measurements in block 302.

In response to determining that the mobile computing device is in anormal state (i.e., determination block 506=“Yes”), the processor mayoperate the mobile computing device in a normal mode in block 508. Forexample, in response to determining that the one or more sensor outputsindicate that the operating state has changed from put-away to normal,the processor of the computing device may change the operating mode tonormal mode. The normal mode may be associated with a normal modegesture profile that differs from a put-away mode gesture profile. Theprocessor may operate the mobile computing device using the normal modegesture profile. The selected user interactions in the normal mode, aswell as other modes of operation, may be defined in a gesture profile.Gesture profiles may associate user interface functions of a mobilecomputing device with operating modes of the mobile computing device.For example, in the gesture profile associated with a normal modetouches or gestures on a rear area capacitive input sensor may enlargethe text on a screen of the mobile computing device, while in thegesture profile associated with a pocket put-away mode touches orgestures on a rear area capacitive input sensor may toggle silent mode.Additionally, in the gesture profile for the normal mode, operations ofa mobile device may be different than in the gesture profile for aput-away mode, regardless of user interactions. For example, in a normalmode the normal mode gesture profile may cause notifications to bedisplayed on a screen of the mobile computing device, while in aput-away mode the put-away gesture profile may prevent the display ofnotifications on the screen.

In block 510 the processor may decrease a sensitivity of the rear areacapacitive input sensor suitable for operating in the normal mode. Forexample, the processor of the mobile computing device may decrease thesensitivity by decreasing a gain of the rear area capacitive inputsensor, adjusting controllable capacitance values for the rear areacapacitive input sensor, or by making any other hardware and/or softwareadjustment of the rear area capacitive input sensor that results indecreased sensitivity. The decrease in sensitivity may return the reararea capacitive input sensor to normal mode operations consistent withthe normal mode gesture profile.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment method 600 for selecting a gestureprofile for use on a mobile computing device, such as a mobile computingdevice (e.g., mobile computing device 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, mobilecomputing device 200 of FIG. 2, etc.) including a rear area capacitiveinput sensor (e.g., capacitive input sensor 104 of rear area 114 ofmobile computing device 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, capacitive sensor(s) 227of mobile computing device 200 of FIG. 2, etc.). With reference to FIGS.1A-6, the operations of the method 600 may be performed by a processor(e.g., general purpose processor 206 of mobile computing device 200,etc.) of a mobile computing device, such as a mobile computing deviceincluding a rear area capacitive input sensor.

In determination block 602, the processor of the mobile computing devicemay determine whether an operating mode has changed. Based on the stateof the mobile computing the mobile computing device may be operated indifferent modes, such as normal mode and/or one or more various put-awaymodes. In response to determining that the operating mode has notchanged (i.e., determination block 602=“No”), the processor may continueto determine whether the operating mode has changed in determinationblock 602.

In response to determining that the operating mode has changed (i.e.,determination block 602=“Yes”), the processor of the computing devicemay monitor sensor outputs in block 604. As examples, the processor maymonitor, singularly or in any combination, accelerometer outputs, cameraoutputs, touch screen outputs, microphone outputs, pressure sensoroutputs, gyroscope outputs, heat sensor outputs, ambient light sensoroutputs, and bolometer outputs, capacitive input sensor measurements, oroutputs of any other type sensors available on the mobile computingdevice. Additionally, a sensor output may be a determination as towhether a front screen is on or off.

In block 606, the processor of the mobile computing device may select agesture profile based at least in part on the operating mode and thesensor outputs. In various embodiments, different gesture profiles maybe used on the mobile computing device to control how the mobilecomputing device responds to different user interactions based on theoperational mode. In some embodiments, the processor of the mobilecomputing device may be configured to distinguish between differentput-away states, such as by monitoring sensor outputs to distinguish afirst put-away state from a second put-away state. For example,different put-away modes may be distinguished based on the sensoroutputs received in the put-away modes and their respective differentgesture profiles may be selected accordingly. As a specific example,sensor data from a heat sensor may distinguish the mobile computingdevice being in a put-away state associated with being in a purse or bagfrom a put-away state in a pocket because the pocket may be associatedwith a higher temperature threshold.

In various embodiments, the processor of the mobile computing device mayselect a gesture profile for use by the mobile computing device based onthe operational context of the mobile computing device. Differentgesture profiles may be associated with different put-away states, andbased on determining the type of put-away state, the processor of themobile computing device may select a gesture profile associated withthat put-away state type. For example, sensor outputs, such as heatsensor outputs, light sensor outputs, accelerometer outputs, etc., maybe used by the processor of the mobile computing device in differentoperating modes to select the gesture profile. As a specific example,heat sensor and light sensor outputs in a put-away mode may be used bythe processor to distinguish between a put-away state in a bag and aput-away state in a pocket, and the processor may select the gestureprofile for the pocket put-away state or gesture profile for the bagput-away state for use by the mobile computing device accordingly

Various embodiments may be implemented one or more of a variety ofmobile computing devices, an example of which in the form of asmartphone is illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B. With reference to FIGS.1-7B, a mobile computing device 100 may include a housing body 110,constructed of a plastic, metal, ceramic, glass, or a combination ofsuch materials, for containing all or some of various components. Themobile computing device 100 may include a processor 702 coupled tovarious systems and components. In particular, the processor 702 may becoupled to an internal memory 706, a touch screen controller 704, atouch sensor controller 705, radio communication elements, speakers 714,and microphones 715. The processor 702 may be a single core or amulti-core processor designated for general or specific processingtasks. The internal memory 706 may be volatile or non-volatile memory,and may also be secure and/or encrypted memory, or unsecure and/orunencrypted memory, or any combination thereof.

The touch screen controller 704 may be coupled to a touch screen display712, such as a resistive-sensing touch screen, a capacitive-sensingtouch screen, infrared sensing touch screen, etc. A capacitive-sensingtouch screen display 712 may include one or more capacitive inputsensors (e.g., 102). The touch sensor controller 705 and the processor702 may be coupled to one or more multi-touch sensors 732, such ascapacitive input sensors (e.g., 102, 104, 106). One or more capacitiveinput sensors 732 may be located on the back panel (e.g., rear area114), sides (e.g., 116 a, 116 b), top, and/or bottom of the mobilecomputing device 100.

The mobile computing device 100 may include one or more radio signaltransceivers 708 (e.g., Peanut, Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, ZigBee, Wi-Fi®,radio frequency (RF) radio, etc.) coupled to antennae 710 for sendingand receiving communications. The one or more radio signal transceivers708 may be coupled to each other and/or to the processor 702. The radiosignal transceivers 708 may implement the various wireless transmissionprotocol stacks and interfaces. For example, the mobile computing device100 may include a cellular network wireless modem chip 716 coupled tothe processor that enables communication via a cellular network.

The mobile computing device 100 may include a peripheral deviceconnection interface 718 coupled to the processor 702. The peripheraldevice connection interface 718 may be configured to accept one or moretypes of physical and communication connections, common or proprietary,such as USB, FireWire, Thunderbolt, or PCIe. The peripheral deviceconnection interface 718 may also be coupled to a similarly configuredperipheral device connection port (not shown).

The mobile computing device 100 may include a power source 722 (e.g., abattery) coupled to the processor 702, such as a disposable orrechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery may also be coupled tothe peripheral device connection port to receive a charging current froma source external to the mobile computing device 100. Additionally, oralternatively, the rechargeable battery may be charged through wirelesscharging, such as through wireless charging antenna 742. A wirelesscharging controller 744 may be coupled to the charging antenna 742 andthe power source 722 and configured to regulate the charging/rechargingof the power source 722 based on a charge state of the power source 722,availability of wireless charging as sensed by the wireless chargingantenna 742 and/or control signals received from the processor 702.

In various embodiments, the mobile computing device 100 may include oneor more microphones 715. For example, the mobile computing device mayhave microphones 715 that are conventional for receiving voice or otheraudio frequency energy from a user during a call. The mobile computingdevice 100 may also include speakers 714 for providing audio outputs.The mobile computing device 100 may also include one or more physicalbuttons 724, 726 for receiving user inputs.

The processors described herein may be any programmable microprocessor,microcomputer or multiple processor chip or chips that can be configuredby software instructions (applications) to perform a variety offunctions, including the functions of various aspects described above.In some devices, multiple processors may be provided, such as oneprocessor dedicated to wireless communication functions and oneprocessor dedicated to running other applications. Typically, softwareapplications may be stored in the internal memory before they areaccessed and loaded into the processors. The processors may includeinternal memory sufficient to store the application softwareinstructions. In many devices the internal memory may be a volatile ornonvolatile memory, such as flash memory, or a mixture of both. For thepurposes of this description, a general reference to memory refers tomemory accessible by the processors, including internal memory orremovable memory plugged into the device and memory within theprocessor, themselves.

The foregoing method descriptions and the process flow diagrams areprovided merely as illustrative examples and are not intended to requireor imply that the steps of various embodiments must be performed in theorder presented. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art theorder of steps in the foregoing embodiments may be performed in anyorder. Words such as “thereafter,” “then,” “next,” etc. are not intendedto limit the order of the steps; these words are simply used to guidethe reader through the description of the methods. Further, anyreference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using thearticles “a,” “an” or “the” is not to be construed as limiting theelement to the singular.

While the terms “first” and “second” are used herein to describe datatransmission associated with a SIM and data receiving associated with adifferent SIM, such identifiers are merely for convenience and are notmeant to limit the various embodiments to a particular order, sequence,type of network or carrier.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, andalgorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosedherein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, orcombinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability ofhardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules,circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms oftheir functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented ashardware or software depends upon the particular application and designconstraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans mayimplement the described functionality in varying ways for eachparticular application, but such implementation decisions should not beinterpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the presentinvention.

The hardware used to implement the various illustrative logics, logicalblocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with theembodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with ageneral purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmablegate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate ortransistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combinationthereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Ageneral-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but, in thealternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration. Alternatively, some steps or methods may be performed bycircuitry that is specific to a given function.

In one or more embodiments, the functions described may be implementedin hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. Ifimplemented in software, the functions may be stored as one or moreinstructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable medium ornon-transitory processor-readable medium. The steps of a method oralgorithm disclosed herein may be embodied in a processor-executablesoftware module, which may reside on a non-transitory computer-readableor processor-readable storage medium. Non-transitory computer-readableor processor-readable storage media may be any storage media that may beaccessed by a computer or a processor. By way of example but notlimitation, such non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readablemedia may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, FLASH memory, CD-ROM or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storagedevices, or any other medium that may be used to store desired programcode in the form of instructions or data structures and that may beaccessed by a computer. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compactdisc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD),floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce datamagnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Combinations of the above are also included within the scope ofnon-transitory computer-readable and processor-readable media.Additionally, the operations of a method or algorithm may reside as oneor any combination or set of codes and/or instructions on anon-transitory processor-readable medium and/or computer-readablemedium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product.

The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the claims. Variousmodifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may beapplied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of theclaims. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited tothe embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the following claims and the principles and novelfeatures disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating capacitive input sensor ofa mobile computing device, comprising: generating, by a processor of themobile computing device, an interaction profile based on sensormeasurements; determining, by the processor, whether the interactionprofile is inconsistent with in-hand operation; determining, by theprocessor, whether the mobile computing device is in a put-away state inresponse to determining that the interaction profile is inconsistentwith in-hand operation; and operating, by the processor, the mobilecomputing device in a put-away mode and increasing, by the processor, asensitivity of a capacitive input sensor in response to determining thatthe mobile computing device is in the put-away state; wherein the mobilecomputing device uses a first gesture profile in the put-away mode thatis different than a second gesture profile used in a normal mode;wherein the first gesture profile and the second gesture profile areconfigured such that the mobile computing device performs an operationin response to a selected user interaction with the capacitive inputsensor in the put-away state that is different from an operationperformed by the mobile computing device in response to the sameselected user interaction in a normal state; and wherein in response tothe selected user interactions being one or more of a touch, a gesture,or a grip, the operation of the mobile computing device is a control ofa wearable device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensormeasurements are received by the processor from one or more of thecapacitive input sensor, another capacitive sensor, an accelerometer, acamera, a microphone, a gyroscope, a heat sensor, an ambient lightsensor, or a bolometer.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein in response tothe selected user interactions being one or more of a touch, a gesture,or a grip, the operation of the mobile computing device is an operationto answer a call, start an application, silence an alert, turn on ascreen, read out a message, read out a caller name, launch a camera,toggle a silent mode, adjust a volume, or control another device.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the wearable device is a virtual realityhead-mounted display or augmented reality glasses.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: determining, by the processor, whether themobile computing device is in a normal state while the mobile computingdevice is operating in the put-away mode; and operating, by theprocessor, the mobile computing device in the normal mode in response todetermining that the mobile computing device is in the normal state. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein: generating the interaction profile basedon sensor measurements comprises generating, by the processor, acapacitive profile based on capacitive input sensor measurements;determining whether the interaction profile is inconsistent with in-handoperation comprises determining, by the processor, whether thecapacitive profile is non-finger shaped; determining whether the mobilecomputing device is in the put-away state in response to determiningthat the interaction profile is inconsistent with in-hand operationcomprises determining, by the processor, whether one or more othersensor outputs indicate the mobile computing device is in the put-awaystate in response to determining that the capacitive profile isnon-finger shaped; and operating the mobile computing device in theput-away mode and increasing the sensitivity of the capacitive inputsensor in response to determining that the mobile computing device is inthe put-away state comprises operating, by the processor, the mobilecomputing device in the put-away mode and increasing, by the processor,the sensitivity of the capacitive input sensor in response todetermining that the one or more other sensor outputs indicate themobile computing device is in the put-away state.
 7. The method of claim6, wherein the one or more other sensor outputs are received by theprocessor from one or more of an accelerometer, a camera, a microphone,a gyroscope, a heat sensor, an ambient light sensor, or a bolometer. 8.The method claim 6, further comprising: determining, by the processor, asurface of the mobile computing device that is an outward surface in theput-away state based at least in part on the one or more other sensoroutputs; and increasing a sensitivity of a capacitive sensor on theoutward surface.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the capacitive inputsensor is a rear area capacitive input sensor.
 10. The method of claim9, wherein in the first gesture profile an image associated with anoperation of the mobile computing device is not displayed on a screen ofthe mobile computing device and in the second gesture profile the imageassociated with the operation is displayed on the screen of the mobilecomputing device, wherein the screen is a front screen on a sideopposite of the rear area capacitive input sensor.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: determining, by the processor, whetheradditional one or more other sensor outputs indicate the mobilecomputing device is in a normal state while the mobile computing deviceis operating in the put-away mode; and operating, by the processor, themobile computing device in the normal mode in response to determiningthat the additional one or more other sensor outputs indicate the mobilecomputing device is in the normal state.
 12. A mobile computing device,comprising: a housing body; a capacitive input sensor positioned on thehousing body; a memory; and a processor within the housing body andcoupled to the capacitive input sensor and the memory, wherein theprocessor is configured with processor-executable instructions toperform operations comprising: generating an interaction profile basedon sensor measurements; determining whether the interaction profile isinconsistent with in-hand operation; determining whether the mobilecomputing device is in a put-away state in response to determining thatthe interaction profile is inconsistent with in-hand operation;operating the mobile computing device in a put-away mode and increasinga sensitivity of the capacitive input sensor in response to determiningthat the mobile computing device is in the put-away state; and using afirst gesture profile in the put-away mode to correlate user inputgestures to operations of the mobile computing device while operating inthe put-away mode, wherein the first gesture profile is different than asecond gesture profile used by the processor to correlate user inputgestures to operations of the mobile computing device while operating ina normal mode; wherein the first gesture profile and the second gestureprofile are configured such that the processor causes the mobilecomputing device to perform an operation in response to a selected userinteraction with the capacitive input sensor in the put-away state thatis different from an operation performed by the mobile computing devicein response to the same selected user interaction in a normal state; andwherein the processor is further configured with processor-executableinstructions to perform operations comprising controlling a wearabledevice in response to one or more of a touch, a gesture, or a grip userinteraction with the capacitive input sensor in the put-away state. 13.The mobile computing device of claim 12, further comprising one or moreof an accelerometer, a camera, a microphone, a gyroscope, a heat sensor,an ambient light sensor, or a bolometer, wherein the sensor measurementsare received by the processor from one or more of the capacitive inputsensor, the accelerometer, the camera, the microphone, the gyroscope,the heat sensor, the ambient light sensor, or the bolometer.
 14. Themobile computing device of claim 12, wherein the processor is configuredwith processor-executable instructions to perform operations such thatthe operation the processor causes the mobile computing device toperform in response to one or more of a touch, a gesture, or a grip userinteraction with the capacitive input sensor in the put-away state isone of answering a call, starting an application, silencing an alert,turning on a screen, reading out a message, reading out a caller name,launching a camera, toggling a silent mode, adjusting a volume, orcontrolling another device.
 15. The mobile computing device of claim 12,wherein the wearable device is a virtual reality head-mounted display oraugmented reality glasses.
 16. The mobile computing device claim 12,wherein the processor is configured with processor-executableinstructions to perform operations further comprising: determiningwhether the mobile computing device is in a normal state while themobile computing device is operating in the put-away mode; and operatingthe mobile computing device in the normal mode in response todetermining that the mobile computing device is in the normal state. 17.The mobile computing device of claim 12, wherein the processor isconfigured with processor-executable instructions to perform operationssuch that: generating the interaction profile based on sensormeasurements comprises generating a capacitive profile based oncapacitive input sensor measurements; determining whether theinteraction profile is inconsistent with in-hand operation comprisesdetermining whether the capacitive profile is non-finger shaped;determining whether the mobile computing device is in the put-away statein response to determining that the interaction profile is inconsistentwith in-hand operation comprises determining whether one or more othersensor outputs indicate the mobile computing device is in the put-awaystate in response to determining that the capacitive profile isnon-finger shaped; and operating the mobile computing device in theput-away mode and increasing the sensitivity of the capacitive inputsensor in response to determining that the mobile computing device is inthe put-away state comprises operating the mobile computing device inthe put-away mode and increasing the sensitivity of the capacitive inputsensor in response to determining that the one or more other sensoroutputs indicate the mobile computing device is in the put-away state.18. The mobile computing device of claim 17, further comprising one ormore of an accelerometer, a camera, a microphone, a gyroscope, a heatsensor, an ambient light sensor, or a bolometer, wherein the one or moreother sensor outputs are received by the processor from one or more ofthe accelerometer, the camera, the microphone, the gyroscope, the heatsensor, the ambient light sensor, or the bolometer.
 19. The mobilecomputing device claim 17, wherein the processor is configured withprocessor-executable instructions to perform operations furthercomprising: determining an outward facing surface of the housing body inthe put-away state based at least in part on the one or more othersensor outputs; and increasing a sensitivity of a capacitive sensor onthe outward facing surface of the housing body.
 20. The mobile computingdevice of claim 17, wherein the capacitive input sensor is positioned ona rear area of the housing body.
 21. The mobile computing device ofclaim 20, further comprising a screen coupled to the processor andpositioned on a front side of the housing body opposite the rear area ofthe housing body on which the capacitive input sensor is positioned,wherein the processor is configured with processor-executableinstructions to perform operations such that in the first gestureprofile an image associated with an operation of the mobile computingdevice is not displayed on the screen and in the second gesture profilethe image associated with the operation is displayed on the screen. 22.The mobile computing device of claim 12, wherein the processor isconfigured with processor-executable instructions to perform operationsfurther comprising: determining whether additional one or more othersensor outputs indicate the mobile computing device is in a normal statewhile the mobile computing device is operating in the put-away mode; andoperating the mobile computing device in the normal mode in response todetermining that the additional one or more other sensor outputsindicate the mobile computing device is in the normal state.
 23. Anon-transitory, processor-readable medium having stored thereonprocessor-executable instructions configured to cause a processor of amobile computing device to perform operations comprising: generating aninteraction profile based on sensor measurements; determining whetherthe interaction profile is inconsistent with in-hand operation;determining whether the mobile computing device is in a put-away statein response to determining that the interaction profile is inconsistentwith in-hand operation; operating the mobile computing device in aput-away mode and increasing a sensitivity of a capacitive input sensorin response to determining that the mobile computing device is in theput-away state; and using a first gesture profile in the put-away modeto correlate user input gestures to operations of the mobile computingdevice while operating in the put-away mode, wherein the first gestureprofile is different than a second gesture profile used by the processorto correlate user input gestures to operations of the mobile computingdevice while operating in a normal mode; wherein the storedprocessor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processorto perform operations such that the first gesture profile and the secondgesture profile are configured such that the mobile computing deviceperforms an operation in response to a selected user interaction withthe capacitive input sensor in the put-away state that is different froman operation performed by the mobile computing device in response to thesame selected user interaction in a normal state; wherein the storedprocessor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processorto perform operations further comprising controlling a wearable devicein response to one or more of a touch, a gesture, or a grip userinteraction with the capacitive input sensor in the put-away state. 24.The non-transitory, processor-readable medium of claim 23, wherein thestored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause theprocessor to perform operations further comprising receiving the sensormeasurements from one or more of the capacitive input sensor, anothercapacitive sensor, an accelerometer, a camera, a microphone, agyroscope, a heat sensor, an ambient light sensor, or a bolometer. 25.The non-transitory, processor-readable medium of claim 23, wherein thestored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause theprocessor to perform operations such that the operation the processorcauses the mobile computing device to perform in response to one or moreof a touch, a gesture, or a grip user interaction with the capacitiveinput sensor in the put-away state is one of answering a call, startingan application, silencing an alert, turning on a screen, reading out amessage, reading out a caller name, launching a camera, toggling asilent mode, adjusting a volume, or controlling another device.
 26. Thenon-transitory, processor-readable medium claim 23, wherein the storedprocessor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processorto perform operations further comprising: determining whether the mobilecomputing device is in a normal state while the mobile computing deviceis operating in the put-away mode; and operating the mobile computingdevice in the normal mode in response to determining that the mobilecomputing device is in the normal state.
 27. The non-transitory,processor-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the storedprocessor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processorto perform operations such that: generating the interaction profilebased on sensor measurements comprises generating a capacitive profilebased on capacitive input sensor measurements; determining whether theinteraction profile is inconsistent with in-hand operation comprisesdetermining whether the capacitive profile is non-finger shaped;determining whether the mobile computing device is in the put-away statein response to determining that the interaction profile is inconsistentwith in-hand operation comprises determining whether one or more othersensor outputs indicate the mobile computing device is in the put-awaystate in response to determining that the capacitive profile isnon-finger shaped; and operating the mobile computing device in theput-away mode and increasing the sensitivity of the capacitive inputsensor in response to determining that the mobile computing device is inthe put-away state comprises operating the mobile computing device inthe put-away mode and increasing the sensitivity of the capacitive inputsensor in response to determining that the one or more other sensoroutputs indicate the mobile computing device is in the put-away state.28. The non-transitory, processor-readable medium of claim 27, whereinthe stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause theprocessor to perform operations further comprising receiving the one ormore other sensor outputs from one or more of an accelerometer, acamera, a microphone, a gyroscope, a heat sensor, an ambient lightsensor, or a bolometer.
 29. The non-transitory, processor-readablemedium of claim 27, wherein the stored processor-executable instructionsare configured to cause the processor to perform operations furthercomprising: determining, by the processor, a surface of the mobilecomputing device that is an outward surface in the put-away state basedat least in part on the one or more other sensor outputs; and increasinga sensitivity of a capacitive sensor on the outward surface.
 30. Thenon-transitory, processor-readable medium of claim 27, wherein thestored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause theprocessor to perform operations such that an image associated with anoperation of the mobile computing device is not displayed on a screen ofthe mobile computing device while in the put-away mode and the imageassociated with the operation is displayed on the screen of the mobilecomputing device while in the normal mode.
 31. The non-transitory,processor-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the storedprocessor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processorto perform operations further comprising: determining whether additionalone or more other sensor outputs indicate the mobile computing device isin a normal state while the mobile computing device is operating in theput-away mode; and operating the mobile computing device in the normalmode in response to determining that the additional one or more othersensor outputs indicate the mobile computing device is in the normalstate.
 32. A mobile computing device, comprising: a housing body; acapacitive input sensor positioned on the housing body; means forgenerating an interaction profile based on sensor measurements; meansfor determining whether the interaction profile is inconsistent within-hand operation; means for determining whether the mobile computingdevice is in a put-away state in response to determining that theinteraction profile is inconsistent with in-hand operation; means foroperating the mobile computing device in a put-away mode and increasinga sensitivity of a capacitive input sensor in response to determiningthat the mobile computing device is in the put-away state; means forusing a first gesture profile in the put-away mode to correlate userinput gestures to operations of the mobile computing device whileoperating in the put-away mode, wherein the first gesture profile isdifferent than a second gesture profile used to correlate user inputgestures to operations of the mobile computing device while operating ina normal mode; means for performing an operation in response to aselected user interaction with the capacitive input sensor in theput-away state that is different from an operation performed in responseto the same selected user interaction in a normal state; and means forcontrolling a wearable device in response to one or more of a touch, agesture, or a grip user interaction with the capacitive input sensor inthe put-away state.
 33. The mobile computing device of claim 32, furthercomprising: means for determining whether additional one or more othersensor outputs indicate the mobile computing device is in a normal statewhile the mobile computing device is operating in the put-away mode; andmeans for operating the mobile computing device in the normal mode inresponse to determining that the additional one or more other sensoroutputs indicate the mobile computing device is in the normal state. 34.The mobile computing device of claim 32, wherein: means for generatingthe interaction profile based on sensor measurements comprises means forgenerating a capacitive profile based on capacitive input sensormeasurements; means for determining whether the interaction profile isinconsistent with in-hand operation comprises means for determiningwhether the capacitive profile is non-finger shaped; means fordetermining whether the mobile computing device is in the put-away statein response to determining that the interaction profile is inconsistentwith in-hand operation comprises means for determining whether one ormore other sensor outputs indicate the mobile computing device is in theput-away state in response to determining that the capacitive profile isnon-finger shaped; and means for operating the mobile computing devicein a put-away mode and increasing a sensitivity of a capacitive inputsensor in response to determining that the mobile computing device is inthe put-away state comprises means for operating the mobile computingdevice in the put-away mode and increasing the sensitivity of thecapacitive input sensor in response to determining that the one or moreother sensor outputs indicate the mobile computing device is in theput-away state.